how many people commit suicide in the united states each year? >> last year, 38,000 people who committed suicide. it's a large number. what's larger is it's estimated 1 million people every year in the united states attempt suicide. >> how do those rates compare to other countries? >> they are about the same as in australia and canada. but, it's actually lower than in countries like russia, japan and korea. in russia, the suicide rate is five times what it is here in the united states. >> is there a reason for the differences? is there anything going on in those countries that make people more suicidal than here in the united states? >> i think economic issues related and cultural aspects. certain sultures, it's not as unacceptable to make a suicide attempt. there's religion that has something to play. some of the arab countries, the suicide rates are lower than the united states. >> how do the rates vary based on age and gender in. >> men are much more likely to successfully complete a suicide. the suicide rate for men is four times that of wome